Mather (Increase) is born in Dorchester.

The son of Rev. Richard and Katherine (Holt) Mather, Increase Mather enters Harvard College at age 12, graduates, and received a master’s degree from Trinity College in Dublin. Returning to Boston, he marries his stepsister Maria Cotton in 1662 and lives near today’s 12 North Square. Ordained a minister, Mather serves initially as assistant to his father at the First Church in Dorchester, then as pastor of the Old North Church. He moves to a new house near today’s 332 Hanover Street in 1677. Described as “Unequaled in reputation and power by any native-born American clergyman of his generation,” he serves as president of Harvard College from 1685 until resigning in 1701.* Mather dies in Boston on August 23, 1723.